7 Best Brooks Running Shoes For Walking

The Ghost 16 emerged as a reliable partner during testing, especially praised for its comfort, versatility, and durability. Our lab confirms its forgiving ride and longevity, making it our overall pick among Brooks walking-running shoes.

The DNA Loft v3 cushioning provides a soft yet springy feel, particularly in the 35.1 mm heel, which makes ground impact feel extra gentle. Our transitions felt smooth thanks to the 12.4 mm heel drop, optimized for heel-striking, a common landing position in walking.

The midsole’s flexibility, exceeding the average by 53.3% in our bend test, makes each stride feel natural and effortless because it barely resists our motions.

Underfoot, the outsole does the dirty work and barely had any wear after miles of outdoor walks and runs, indicating durability. Testing further in our lab, it outperforms the average in our Dremel abrasion test, showing only an insignificant 0.7 mm wear.

The shoe’s upper sits lower than most shoes, which may cause discomfort to those with high-volume feet. Runners who fit this profile should consider alternatives. 

Brooks Ghost Max 2 uses its skyscraper height as its main focal point, delivering a protected ride for devouring the miles. Despite its size, it surprises us with its stability, gracing our runs with confidence and ease. Plus, it delivers maximum airflow too! Our lab results and test runs are sure of one thing: it’s the best comfortable Brooks walking-running shoe.

As a true maximalist, Ghost Max 2 sports a 39.0/29.1 mm stack, way above the 34.0/25.4 mm average. It offers a cushioned ride for any foot striker and even for heavier runners because of its balanced 20.6 HA DNA Loft v3 foam. Rather than feeling mushy, the cushioning had some springiness to it.

Given its massive build, it feels exceptionally stable for its height. We give credit to the tall sidewalls and its wide landing base, with measurements reaching 118.7/99.3 mm in the forefoot and heel.

The ride feels pleasantly refreshing thanks to the well-ventilated upper, verified by our lab’s smoke test with a perfect breathability score. Even if we wore the shoe all day, our feet remained fresh.

However, the thick slab of foam makes Ghost Max 2 harder to bend than the average walking shoe. Those who prefer more flexibility and versatility for walks and gym workouts are better off with other pairs.

In our trial sessions, the Glycerin 21 felt like floating on clouds, earning our top spot for cushioning among Brooks walking-running shoes. Lab tests confirm its high level of comfort from its airy foam to its flexible build that boosts its versatility. Plus, just like its presence in the industry, its Roadtack Rubber outsole is built to last!

For over two decades, this 21st version has been the most cushioned Glycerin so far. At 37.2/26.6 mm, it brings endless comfort from mile 1 to the last. Our durometer reveals its remarkable softness and airiness at 20.4 HA, delivering a healthy mix of bounce and stability. While comfort is the best for long runs, the stability element is crucial in maintaining our form.

Noteworthy is its extensive 100.0 mm heel vs. the 90.5 mm average, enhancing our control and balance during landings. Despite this, Glycerin 21 remains agile. Our lab confirms its flexibility with a low 2/5 torsional rigidity rating and a bend test score that’s 25.9% below average.

We barely scratched the outsole after miles of outdoor use, with its toughness proven by our durometer reading of 84.6 HC vs. the 80.3 HC average. Any doubts about its durability were erased after sustaining minimal damage in our Dremel test.

Unfortunately, the knit upper’s focus on comfort veered away from breathability. Those who want seamless ventilation should look elsewhere.

Our arches have finally met their match in Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23. The shoe became a sanctuary for our feet especially because of the relief it provided our soles, securing its spot as the Brooks walking shoe with unbeatable arch support. Added perk: the insole is removable!

One arch-loving feature we love in Adrenaline GTS 23 is the cushioning that thrusts our arches to their correct position. While our durometer reflected a midsole softness of 19.5 HA, which is 18.41% softer than most, it still afforded us an optimal balance between support and comfort.

Adrenaline GTS 23 is also abundant in cushioning. It boasts a 34.1 mm heel stack that surpassed the average by 2.1% and a 21.5 mm forefoot stack that is 12.2% less than the standard. Overall, we are catered with generous foam that also brought us protection.

The heel counter of this shoe is also rigid, taking care not only of our heels but also giving extra support for our arches not to fall. We actually rated the stiffness of the heel a 4/5 in our lab, as it didn’t give way to our repeated pinching. However, weight is not Adrenaline’s strong suit. It punched in a weight of 10.1 oz (286g), which weighs 5.3% more than the average. We advise looking for lightweight alternatives if you can’t bear this weight.

Our arches and overpronating feet have finally met their match in the Beast GTS 24. It offers support through the GuideRails technology while ensuring the shoe can last beyond a thousand miles. It earns our seal of approval in the lab as the best stability walking-running shoe from Brooks.

The cushioning delivers unwavering support through its firm foam, which our durometer reflected with a 30.1 HA measurement, 43.3% firmer than average. Its solid platform naturally enhances a stable ride. 

At the core of Beast GTS 24 is the GuideRails technology, guiding our foot alignment by limiting excessive movements. Further boosting our surefootedness is the extra width we found in the heel: a mind-blowing 11.2 mm! To ensure comfort, the midsole maintains a level of flexibility. Our bend test reveals it’s 7.0% more malleable than average, making it suitable for walking.

Underfoot is a resilient rubber that can handle countless miles. Our lab shows it’s tougher and thicker than average at 85.5 HC and 4.8 mm, respectively. Further cementing its durability is its excellent performance in our abrasion test, revealing an insignificant 0.7 mm damage vs. the 1.0 mm average.

However, those who prefer lighter shoes will feel leg fatigue early on. Tipping the scales to 12.6 oz (357g), this shoe feels like a burden for faster paces or prolonged wear.

We took the best Brooks walking-running shoes in the lab and outdoors and after extensive testing, the Cascadia 18 emerged as the top hiking companion. With its innovative Trail Adapt system, intentionally designed lugs, and stable ride, we felt confident exploring new terrain.

We didn’t know we were stepping on rocks until we saw them ourselves. The Cascadia 18 features a unique Trail Adapt system that serves as our shield underfoot. It consists of a plastic plate with two heads in the rear and three heads in the forefoot to allow more room for torsional movement while stabilizing the ride.

The rear also measures wider than average at 95.6 mm, giving us enough space to find our footing securely. Besides the plastic plate, the midsole measures a firm 27.5 HA per our durometer, stabilizing the ride even more.

Underfoot, we have substantial 4.0 mm lugs that grip the ground firmly. This is deeper than the standard 3.5 mm we’ve measured in the lab. The lugs in the heel, midfoot, and forefoot are designed differently to serve each purpose respectively: brakes for descents, mud-shedding, and enhanced traction for ascents.

However, we believe the ride could be more enjoyable with a more energetic midsole. Those seeking responsiveness are better off with other options.

At a hundred bucks, Revel 7 has so much to offer at a 25.4% discount vs. the average Brooks running shoe in our lab, earning its rightful place as the best budget walking-running shoe from the brand. It’s mind-blowing how it’s that affordable given the overall comfort, breathability, and durability it delivered in our runs.

We were impressed by Revel 7’s comfort and flexibility, with a midsole easily bending to our feet and measuring a balanced 19.5 HA. This malleability, combined with its light weight of 9.1 oz (258g), enhances its versatility for various activities beyond running.

The shoe also features a breezy upper with a 5/5 ventilation score in our smoke test, adding to its refreshing feel. This ensures our feet remain fresh and free from blisters no matter how many hours we wear this pair.

Even though we logged miles on our feet, we didn’t notice any wearing on the outsole. We confirmed this inside our lab via our Dremel test, as it only showed a mere 0.7 mm dent despite the vicious abrasion. This was a pleasant surprise given its reliable grip and softer rubber than average (79.5 HC vs. 80.3 HC).

However, its cushioning may lack support for runners pursuing longer mileage. We recommend looking for another pair for better impact absorption.